Teaching requires that you know your students. Once you know your students you know how to individualize instruction. Knowing your targeted audience-especially when your audience is as diverse as online classrooms- allows you to foster a more supportive and productive learning environment.
This also facilitates the proper use of language; how you may communicate something to a baby boomer may be entirely different from how you would communicate the same thing to generation y.
Cathleen,
I totally understand where you are coming from. Although not all people in a certain generation are exactly the same, it's good to understand where your students are coming from as well. Technology plays a role in everyone's lives, but you're right - there definitely a gap between generations. Thanks!
Dr. Crews, generations play a huge role in the way people communicate. My college age son has never been without a computer in his life. Need I say more? I have students sometimes who are using a computer for the first time in their lives. The technology gap is perhaps the largest generational gap that there is.
Tyra & Jennifer,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. Not all students in a particular generation are exactly the same, but understanding personality traits in general is good. Thanks again.
Richard,
Not every person in every generation will act the same or have the same personality, but understanding personality traits in general is important. It's important to put your expectations for all students in your syllabus and model good communication and follow netiquette rules and regulations. Your words are correct: clear expectations, respect and conduct. Thanks for your input.
Jennifer,
I completey agree with your statements. I see trend as well, however, I also feel it is important that we don't over-generalize. I have some GenY students who aren't tech savy due to socioeconomic factors and Babyboomers (like my mom) who love their tech toys. In other words, a person's communication style is a factor of more than just their generation.
This module made some great points about the differences between genrations.
I can definitely see how hard the online courses may be for some baby boomers. In my own experiences with my parents they have a very hard time understanding things like: social networking sites, blogs, ichat, etc etc. For them its easier to pick up a phone and call...lol. Also the grammar and ones manners would definitely come into play.
With generations X and the Millennia generation the attention span seems to have been reduced dramatically IMO. Getting to the point and not beating around the bush would help keep the communication flowing.
I could see where it would be hard to fuse all three generations together. I believe that being very clear about expectations, respect, and conduct would benefit everyone involved.
Donna,
Right on. Although not all generations act or perform a certain way, it's good to have a general understanding of generations. You may then know what to expect and how to better provide content and develop communication. You are right in that we should be the role models. Nice job.
It's important to understand the role generations play in communication in the online community because students come to school with predefined rules and norms depending upon their age. Another factor to consider is the comfort level with technoloy of their generaton. More technology help might be needed for some students
No matter when the person was born, it's important to prepar him/her for the workplace. We should model rules and norms used in the workplace and encourage the use of technology that is expected for a professional in the selected fields.
Jennifer,
Good point. An introduction from the generation would be an eye opening experience. It will help students feel as though they are expressing themselves from a point of view they understand. Thanks!
Charlene,
We can't all everyone in every generation is alike, but we all have certain characteristics that make us who we are. The more we know about our students, the better. We can then provide information and communicate in a better fashion. Thanks!
I agree that this is a good idea. I've found that the introduction boards normally found in week one are a great place for this. Sometimes we don't even have to ask questions--many students will volunteer information about themselves that helps us understand which generation they are from. We just have to listen (read).
It is important to understand the role generations play in communication in the online community because in today’s world, the classroom will be diverse with students from all walks of life. How I explain a subject to the Generation X students may need to be more detailed for the Baby Boomers. The Generation X and Generation Y (Millennial’s) may flourish in the online environment because they have been accustomed to technology pretty much from day one. Baby Boomers (like myself) may take a minute to acclimate themselves in order to be able to move around the virtual classroom.
We all communicate differently. Understanding how certain generations communicate will help to decipher the tone of a discussion post or e-mail message.
What is considered normal to one group of students can be foreign to another. Learning the background and why a student might be communicating in a less desired way can help the instructor understand. It will also provide clues on how to explain more appropriate communication methods.
It is rather important to know whom are we talking to to properly establish a good communication channel.
In order to properly communicate with the learner one must put oneself at the learner's level. Baby boomers are used to related with their peers in age in a different manner than those of the GEN X or Y.
Kim,
You are so right that communication is the key. Trying to communicate the best way possible for the students helps get the message across. Thanks!
Rachel,
Right on! Knowing your audience, your students, helps in so many ways. Each class is different and it's important to take the time to understand where your students are "coming from." Thanks!
I think that each generation views communication roles differently and need to understand the various generational gaps that can take place.
Older students may not understand VoIP and would rather call via telephone, while younger students, who are used to texting, might be more comfortable using IM to communicate.
Understanding what each student is comfortable with in regards to communication and technology is key to communicating with each student.
Kim
It is critical for faculty to understand role generations in order to facilitate learning particularly in the on-line environment. Being knowledgeble about student strengths and weaknesses and potential barriers to learning.
